Rockingham County, VA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Sec. 17-607 of the Rockingham County Zoning Ordinance sets the baseline standards for a 'home business,' the county's more permissive home-based-work category that allows some customer traffic and signage, distinct from the stricter 'home occupation' category addressed in the same section. Anyone running a home business must first obtain a permit from the zoning administrator, and the business has to remain clearly incidental and secondary to the property's use as a dwelling rather than becoming the primary use of the site. Only residents of the dwelling may operate the business, and a tenant-operator needs the landowner's written permission; the operator may bring in up to two employees who don't live on the premises, but no more.

The business cannot occupy more than thirty percent of the home's residential floor area, or more than seven hundred fifty square feet if it's run out of an accessory structure instead. The standard also bars any change to the dwelling's exterior and prohibits outdoor display or storage of business materials, goods, supplies or equipment. Beyond the zoning administrator's sign-off, the applicant needs approval from VDOT, the health department, fire and rescue, public works and the building official, and whatever conditions those agencies impose become binding conditions of the permit.

Only one vehicle tied to the business may park on the property, off the street, and more than one home business is allowed in the same dwelling as long as each one separately meets every standard. Noncompliance results in the zoning administrator revoking the permit outright.